South Africa's Craig Joubert will referee the World Cup final between New Zealand and France, the International Rugby Board (IRB) announced on Monday.

The showpiece match, which takes place at Auckland's Eden Park on Sunday, Oct 23, will be Joubert's first time in charge of a World Cup final.

This weekend will also see him become only the second South African take charge of the tournament climax following two-time World Cup final referee Andre Watson.

Joubert was unobtrusive while overseeing New Zealand's 20-6 semifinal win over Australia on Sunday.

But the spotlight was very much on Alain Rolland after the Irishman, the 2007 World Cup final referee, sent off Wales captain Sam Warburton for a dangerous 'tip tackle' during France's 9-8 win in Saturday's first semifinal - a decision IRB referees' chief Paddy O'Brien later insisted was "absolutely correct in law".

Rolland will be one of the touch judges for this year's final, along with Welsh referee Nigel Owens. Rolland is also the reserve referee.

England's Wayne Barnes will referee Friday's third-place playoff between Australia and Wales at Eden Park.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 10/18/2011 page23)